My Anti-Business Card Approach

It's not your customer's job to remember you. It is your obligation and responsibility to make sure they don't have the chance to forget you." - Patricia Fripp

My Anti-Business-Card Approach to Self-Promotion By Bob Bly Michael Masterson has often pointed out in ETR how much of the conventional wisdom you read about business and entrepreneurship is pure nonsense. Much of this pap, as Michael has noted, is produced by misguided consultants, ignorant marketing advisors, and business journalists who have never run a successful business in their lives.

Take, for example, the nonsensical advice given on the subject of business cards. One writer suggests giving everyone TWO business cards instead of one ... the logic being that the recipient will then have an extra card to pass on. Yet, you never hear a Steve Jobs or Donald Trump say, "Yes, I built a billion-dollar business. And I used the 'hand out two cards instead of one strategy' to do it, too."We're also told how to transform a business card from its conventional form (name, company, and contact information only) to a powerful "billboard" by adding unconventional elements such as a strong positioning statement, a list of services, and clever graphics or slogans.

But the truth is, spending any significant effort worrying or thinking about business cards ... or strategizing their use ... is an absolute waste of time. That's because most people who receive your business card throw it away without a second glance. (In fact, most of the self-made millionaires I know don't even have business cards. Or, if they have them, they don't carry them.) In the "good old days," before the PC, most people actually had Rolodexes into which they would copy the information on your business card or insert the card itself. But now, your prospects keep their "Rolodexes" in Outlook or some other computer application.

Yes, I know that there are devices that scan business cards and import them into your PC database. But their use is far from widespread. Do you use one? Have you seen one on a prospect's desk lately? That's what I thought.So... what should you put on your business card?

And how do you get it into people's hands so they pay attention and file it for future reference?

My answer may surprise you:

1. Don't worry about what you put on your business card. It doesn't matter.
2. Don't carry business cards or hand them out to people. Instead, do the following ...When a prospect asks you, "Do you have a business card?" say, "I don't have any on me. But give me yours, and I will put one of mine in the mail to you."Then, in conversation, qualify the prospect and find out his needs.

When you get back to your office, send him the appropriate catalog, brochure, or other relevant literature on your products or services. Enclose one of your business cards with these marketing materials - fulfilling the promise you made to send it. But what if your prospect does not carry a business card? (As I said, many busy people don't.)

In that case, have him write his contact information on a piece of paper. (You should always carry paper and pen for this purpose.) You see, if you readily give your card to the prospect, you eliminate the need for him to give you his contact information ... which means you have not captured a lead and have no way of following up.

But by strategically withholding a business card, you almost "force" the prospect to give you his contact information. (Almost no one will refuse you.) So you can capture him in your database ... follow up to qualify him further ... and convert him into a buyer.

Result: Instead of swapping little pieces of paper (business cards), you convert contacts into sales and revenue. But there's one extra step I left out... After you get the prospect's business card or contact information written on a piece of paper, say, "We also publish a monthly online newsletter on ... . Would you like a free subscription?" When he says "yes" (and most will), you can now communicate with him, virtually at no cost, as often as you like - both with your monthly online newsletter and with e-mail marketing messages sent to your newsletter subscriber list.

You can send the e-mail marketing messages because, as subscribers, they have "opted in."

They know you ... have agreed to receive e-mail from you ... and so it's perfectly legal to send promotional e-mails to them. Of course, to use this strategy, you must actually publish an e-newsletter related to your product, service, or area of expertise.

SEO Give Away

I've got some pretty exciting news for you today.Although they might not know it yet, what's opening todayis going to have a huge effect on the search enginesand everybody who uses them.

What am I talking about? It's a new project that I've become involved in that goes by the rather innocuous name, the SEO Giveaway. In reality, the impact of it could be amazing. You see, Leon Klepfish has managed to talk some of the biggest names in search engine optimization into givingup their most secret guides, special reports, and software.

And all of this is available inside the SEO Giveawaymember's area. But, nobody is allowed in unless they agree to one condition. The condition is simple, but something that will eliminate 90% of the possible participants: You have to use what you learn. Now.If you aren't willing to read and use what you get inside, then you're not allowed in.

That's the rule. Take it or leave it.

Laus Deo: A History Lesson You May Have Forgotten Or Never Known

Laus Deo: A History lesson you may have forgotten or never known.

One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a buildingof greater height than the Washington Monument. With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc... this is worth amoment or two of your time; I was not aware of this historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched top the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world. So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean?

Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo.........Praise be to God!" From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan ofthe designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ...a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north.

The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on.

How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 25 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings, the memorial stones share a message

On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy. "One Nation, Under God." I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

" Laus Deo! When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look.

You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)
Author Unknown

Quarles Enterprises Health & Virtual Assistant Services

Quarles Enterprises Health & Virtual Assistant Services

Product Review

PRODUCT REVIEW FOR THE SECOND TIER.COM

This is more than a product review. It is actually an opportunity review.
Every now and then, an opportunity comes down the Internet pike that is too good to miss. This is one of them.

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When I first heard about the Center I immediately thought there had to be a catch. And I was right, there is a catch. But the catch makes perfect sense and is actually a benefit.

You see, Russell is not only a super affiliate marketer, he has also created a number of products and services that fill many empty niches on the Internet. He recognized early on that his success with these programs would require a team of super affiliates just like himself.

So he set up ‘The Second Tier Affiliate Training Center’ and opened the membership to anyone in affiliate marketing or just thinking about becoming an affiliate. In other words, he has established a program to train the people he wants to hopefully become part of his team. Although this certainly is not an obligation. As I mentioned earlier, there is no obligation or strings attached to becoming a member.

But becoming a ‘The Second Tier’ affiliate is actually a ‘no-brainer’. The products and services offer a lot of advantages not found in other programs. So Russell hopes that once a member of the Center understands this, their active participation will be automatic.

For example, ‘The Second Tier’, offers a wide variety of programs. And each of them pays 45% commission on every sale and 20% on every second tier sale. You simply don’t find this kind of commission offered by most other programs.
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However, I wouldn’t delay if I were you. I suspect that once word gets out about ‘The Second Tier Affiliate Training Center’, memberships will go faster than ice cream at a kid’s party. And when this happens, Russell is going to have to put the brakes on. He’ll either start charging a membership fee or simply bar the door to new memberships.

Take a moment right now to visit http://tinyurl.com/z9gku.

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Don’t wait and take a chance on having the opportunity blow by you.